Leadership Montgomery’s Day of Service Focuses on Hunger
On Saturday July 13th, Leadership Montgomery organized an awesome LM Serves Day based around the issue of hunger in Montgomery County and ways to address and combat the issue. Taking place 3 times a year, the mission of LM Serves Days is to provide our diverse membership with an impactful way to connect with each other and the broader Montgomery County community.
Nearly 50 volunteers joined LM to serve 3 local organizations in the following ways:
- Chocolate and Tomatoes Farm in Poolesville was established in 2013 by a farmer and chocolatier; what an awesome and unique combination! They have been leasing land that they farm on in Germantown and Brookeville and this year will open their newest location (first one they will own!) in Middletown.
- 18 volunteers harvested over 40 pounds of vegetables from the farm that will benefit Manna Food and the communities that they serve
- At Nourish Now in Rockville, they understand that children can’t learn and have clear minds if they are hungry. This is why their S.N.A.C.K program is critical in helping to sustain children with food throughout the day.
- 18 volunteers helped to sort, clean and package over 550 pounds of produce, prepared meals and salads that will benefit many families and individuals who come through their doors. Volunteers also made over 500 S.N.A.C.K packs which will be distributed to students throughout 11 Montgomery County Public schools. These critical packs ensure that students do not go hungry throughout the day.
- Rainbow Community Development Center in Germantown has been helping families to become self-sufficient since 1999. Through their Emergency Safety Net Services, Food Pantry, Financial Literacy Classes, Job Search and Resume Preparation services, Rainbow Community Development Center serves about 10,000 people annually.
- 12 volunteers prepared 100 nonperishable bags of groceries that include fresh produce, meat, bread and snacks, and nonperishable items such as pasta, sauce, tuna, cereals and mixed fruit. These bags were served to over 50 households of most vulnerable neighbors in Montgomery County.
“Successful employee volunteerism and community involvement were exemplified during this LM Serves Day” said Wylea Chase, Director, Partnership & Corporate Engagement at Leadership Montgomery. “We are so pleased to have the assistance of nearly 50 volunteers serve 3 local nonprofit organizations today. LM is committed to continue improving the lives of our community through other programs and partnerships of our Corporate Volunteer Council.”
Leadership Montgomery would like to thank the site co-captains who helped to lead this exciting effort:
Co-Captains
- Marilyn Lynk, Executive Director, Adventist HealthCare Center for Health & Equity Wellness
- Jennifer Hester, Vice President of Human Resources, The Emmes Corporation
- Kelly M. Price, Vice President Retail Asset Management, The Peterson Companies
- Cassandra Hairston, Vice President of Community Engagement, NIH Federal Credit Union
- Crystal Carr Townsend, President, Healthcare Initiative Foundation
- Alison McLaughlin, Manager, Events & Special Programs, Leadership Montgomery
Volunteer partners included:
- Avendra
- Adventist HealthCare
- Client Mind Recruiting
- College Tracks, Inc.
- Emmes Company
- Holy Cross Health
- George Washington University
- Nauticon Office Solutions
- NIH Federal Credit Union
- The Donahoe Companies
- The Healthcare Initiative Foundation
- The Peterson Companies
Click here to view more photos from our service day. Thank you to Nourish Now for also taking and sharing photos with us!